Lighting Display Assembly for a Gaming Machine

ABSTRACT

A lighting display assembly for use with a display monitor includes a light guide plate and a light source. The light guide plate is formed from a single piece of material that is transparent to visible light. The light guide plate includes a center opening extending between its front and rear surfaces and defining an inner sidewall. The light source is configured to emit visible light and is positioned facing the inner sidewall so that light emitted therefrom passes through the inner sidewall and into the light guide plate. A pattern is formed in the light guide plate and positioned to be illuminated by the visible light emitted from the light source so that the illuminated pattern is visible through the front surface of the light guide plate. The lighting display assembly is mounted behind a display monitor and is sized to extend laterally beyond an outer peripheral edge of the display monitor such that the illuminated pattern is visible from in front of the display monitor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/000,938, filed Aug. 24, 2020, which iscontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/425,155,filed May 29, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,775,549, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/250,588, filed Jan. 17, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,775,551, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Given the variety of options that compete for the available pool ofgambling dollars, gaming machine manufacturers go to great lengths todesign machines that attract players and maintain their engagement. Inthis regard, gaming machines often include lighted displays thatincorporate colors and themes consistent with the games offered on themachine. The popularity of such gaming machines with players is heavilydependent on the entertainment value of the machine relative to othergaming options and the player's gambling experience. Operators of gamingbusinesses therefore strive to provide the most entertaining, engaging,and exciting machines to attract customers to use the machines whilealso providing a machine that allows the player to enjoy their gamblingexperience. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for gaming machinemanufacturers to develop new games in order to maintain or increaseplayer enjoyment.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a lighting display assemblyfor a gaming machine.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a lighting displayassembly comprising a light guide plate and a light source. The lightguide plate is formed from a single piece of material that istransparent to visible light. The light guide plate includes a centeropening extending between its front and rear surfaces and defining aninner sidewall. The light source is configured to emit visible light andis positioned facing the inner sidewall so that light emitted therefrompasses through the inner sidewall and into the light guide plate. Apattern is formed in the light guide plate and positioned to beilluminated by the visible light emitted from the light source so thatthe illuminated pattern is visible through the front surface of thelight guide plate. A lighting controller may be provided to controllablyactivate and deactivate the light source.

In some embodiments, the pattern redirects at least a portion of thevisible light emitted from the light source and entering the sidewallwall of the light guide plate towards the front surface of the lightguide plate. In certain embodiments, the pattern may reflect and/orrefract at least a portion the visible light emitted from the lightsource and entering the sidewall of the light guide plate towards thefront surface of the light guide plate light.

Embodiments of the lighting display assembly may include a rear panelconfigured to support the light source relative to the light guideplate. In certain embodiments, the light source may include a lightingbracket that carries a plurality of light emitting diodes. The lightingbracket may be mounted to the rear panel such that the plurality oflight emitting diodes align with the sidewall of the light guide plateso that light emitted therefrom passes through the inner sidewall andinto the light guide plate. Some embodiments include a plurality of thelighting brackets, where each lighting bracket includes a plurality oflight emitting diodes.

In some embodiments, the rear panel may include a center opening thataligns with the center opening of the rear panel.

Some embodiments may also include a protective cover overlying the lightguide plate. The protective cover may include a center opening thataligns with the center opening of the light guide plate.

In some embodiments, the pattern is formed in the rear surface of thelight guide plate. In certain embodiments, the pattern may be laseretched into the rear surface of the light guide plate. In someembodiments, the pattern may be screen printed onto the rear surface ofthe light guide plate.

Some embodiments of the disclosure relate to a gaming machine thatincludes a cabinet, a display monitor, and a lighting display assembly.The display monitor may be supported by the cabinet with the lightingdisplay assembly being positioned behind the display monitor. Thelighting display assembly may include a light guide plate and a lightsource. The light guide plate may be formed from a single piece ofmaterial that is transparent to visible light. The light guide plate mayinclude a center opening extending between its front and rear surfacesand defining an inner sidewall of the light guide plate. The lightsource is configured to emit visible light and is positioned facing theinner sidewall so that light emitted therefrom passes through the innersidewall and into the light guide plate. A pattern is formed in thelight guide plate and is positioned to be illuminated by the visiblelight emitted from the light source and entering the sidewall of thelight guide plate so that the illuminated pattern is visible through thefront surface of the light guide plate. The gaming machine may alsoinclude a controller configured to controllably activate and deactivatethe light source.

In some embodiments, the light guide plate is sized to extend laterallybeyond the outer peripheral edge of the display monitor such that theilluminated pattern is visible from in front of the display monitor. Incertain embodiments, the center opening of the light guide plate may bepositioned inward of the outer peripheral edge of the display monitor.

In some embodiments, the lighting display assembly may include mountingfeatures configured to secure the lighting display assembly to at leastone of the cabinet and/or the display monitor.

In some embodiments, the gaming machine includes a display mountingmechanism for mounting the display monitor to the gaming machine. Incertain embodiments, the display mounting mechanism may extend throughthe center opening of the light guide plate.

In yet other aspect, the lighting display assembly comprises a lightguide plate, a light source, a film and a controller. The light guideplate is transparent to visible light and includes a front surface, arear surface and a center opening extending between the front surfaceand the rear surface and defining an inner sidewall. The light source isoperable to emit visible light and is positioned facing the innersidewall so that light emitted therefrom passes through the innersidewall and into the light guide plate. The film is positioned on therear surface, and has a pattern to be illuminated by the visible lightentering the inner sidewall of the light guide plate, producing avisible effect of the pattern through the front surface of the lightguide plate. The controller is, among other things, operable tocontrollably activate and deactivate the light source.

In some embodiments, the lighting display assembly has a film thatcomprises an optical diffusion film. The pattern may be a speckledpattern. The visible effect is a speckled effect. The film may also beoptically bonded with the light guide plate.

Some embodiments of the film comprise a non-light-diffusing surface anda light-diffusing surface. The non-light-diffusing surface may beoptically bonded with the rear surface, with the light-diffusing surfacefacing away from the rear surface. The film may be operable to redirectat least a portion of the visible light entering the inner sidewall ofthe light guide plate towards the front surface of the light guideplate.

In another aspect of a gaming machine, the gaming machine comprises acabinet, a display monitor supported by the cabinet and having an outerperipheral edge, a light guide plate, a light source, a film and acontroller. The light guide plate is transparent to visible light, andsized to extend laterally beyond the outer peripheral edge of thedisplay monitor. The light guide plate includes a front surface, a rearsurface and a center opening extending between the front surface and therear surface, and defining an inner sidewall. A light source is operableto emit visible light and positioned facing the inner sidewall so thatlight emitted therefrom passes through the inner sidewall and into thelight guide plate. The film may be positioned on the rear surface, havea pattern to be illuminated by the visible light entering the innersidewall of the light guide plate, and produce a visible effect of thepattern through the front surface of the light guide plate and adjacentthe display monitor. The controller is, among other things, operable tocontrollably activate and deactivate the light source.

In some embodiments, the film comprises a non-light-diffusing surfaceand a light-diffusing surface, and wherein the non-light-diffusingsurface is optically bonded with the rear surface, with thelight-diffusing surface facing away from the rear surface. The film isoperable to redirect at least a portion of the visible light enteringthe inner sidewall of the light guide plate towards the front surface ofthe light guide plate.

In yet another aspects, a lighting display assembly comprises a rearpanel having a panel center opening, a light guide plate, a lightsource, a film, and a controller. The light guide plate is transparentto visible light, and includes a front surface, a rear surface and acenter opening extending between the front surface and the rear surface,and defining an inner sidewall. The light guide plate may overlie therear panel with the panel center opening being aligned with the centeropening of the rear panel. The light source is operable to emit visiblelight and being positioned facing the inner sidewall of the light guideplate so that light emitted therefrom passes through the inner sidewalland into the light guide plate. The film may be positioned on the rearsurface, have a pattern to be illuminated by the visible light enteringthe inner sidewall of the light guide plate, and produce a visibleeffect of the pattern through the front surface of the light guideplate. The controller is, among other things, operable to controllablyactivate and deactivate the light source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description of embodimentsthereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a lighting display assembly accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line 1B-1B of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are exploded perspective views of the lighting displayassembly of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view along line 2D-2D of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view along line 2E-2E of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2F is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2G is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2H is an alternative cross-sectional view along line 2D-2D of FIG.2B.

FIG. 3A is a front elevation view further illustrating the lightingdisplay assembly interconnected with a lighting controller.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a light guideplate from the lighting display assembly.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate the lighting display assembly installed on agaming machine.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in thedrawings. It should be understood, however, that the present inventionis not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in theattached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there are shown example embodiments oflighting display assembly for a gaming machine. FIG. 1A is a perspectiveview of a lighting display assembly according to an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure. As described in greater details below, thelighting display assembly is configured for use with a gaming machine,such as a slot machine, and is designed to be mounted behind a videodisplay of the gaming machine. In the illustrate embodiment, thelighting display assembly 100 has a generally rectangular shape toconform to the shape of the video display of the gaming machine. It willbe appreciated, however, that the lighting display assembly 100 may takeother shapes, e.g., circular, depending on design and otherconsiderations. The lighting display assembly 100 includes a centeropening 102 to facilitate its installation on a gaming machine, as isexplained in greater detail below.

With further reference to FIGS. 1B to 2G, the lighting display assemblyincludes a protective cover 104, a light guide plate 106, a light source108, a rear panel 110, and a plurality of side covers 112.

The rear panel 110 serves as the mounting platform for the othercomponents and also includes features that permit the lighting displayassembly 100 to be mounted to a gaming machine. The rear panel 110 maybe formed from a durable, lightweight material. In some embodiments, therear panel 110 may be cast from aluminum. Other suitable materialsinclude plastics, such as a PVC or ABS plastic.

The rear panel 110 may be generally rectangular and includes a centeropening 114. A plurality of apertures 116 positioned along the centeropening 102 permit the rear panel 110 (and hence the lighting displayassembly 100), to be secured to a gaming machine by threaded fasteners,such as bolts.

The light source 108 includes at least one lighting bracket 118configured to be mounted to and supported by the rear panel 110. In theillustrated embodiment, the light source 108 includes eight (8) lightingbrackets 118 a-118 g. Other embodiments may utilize a larger or smallernumber of lighting brackets depending, for example, on design,manufacturing and assembly considerations. The rear panel 110 presents aplurality of first (or outer) bosses 122 that extend upwardly from itsfront face 124. Fasteners 126, e.g., bolts, extend through apertures 128in the lighting brackets 118 a-g and thread into the first bosses 122 tosecure the lighting brackets 118 a-g to the rear panel.

FIG. 2B shows the lighting brackets 118 a-g installed on the rear panel110. In the illustrated embodiment, the front face 124 of the rear panel110 includes a recessed portion 132 and a raised portion 134 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 1B, 2D & 2E). The first bosses 122 project upwardly from therecessed portion 132 and support the lighting brackets 118 a-g above therecessed portion 132 and in vertical alignment with the top of theraised portion 134.

Each lighting bracket 118 a-g carries a plurality of lighting elements,such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) 138. In one or more embodiments,the LEDs 138 are mounted to the bottom face of a lighting bracket 118 sothat they align with the top of the raised portion 134. In someembodiments, the plurality of LEDs 138 may be formed from LED stripsthat are cut to length and attached to the bottom face of the lightingbracket 118, e.g., by adhesive (see, e.g., FIGS. 1B, 2D & 2E). The LEDs138 can be energized to produce visible light. According to one or moreembodiments, the LEDs 138 can produce full-color light.

With further reference to FIG. 3A, operation of the LEDs 138 may becontrolled according to a control signal that may be provided by alighting controller 140. In some embodiments, the LEDs 138 may beinterconnected with the lighting controller by a plurality ofconnectors, e.g., wires. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, afirst connector 142 a interconnects the LEDs 138 of the first lightingbracket 118 a to the lighting controller 140. A second connector 142 binterconnects the LEDs 138 of the first and second lighting brackets 118a, 118 b. A third connector 142 c interconnects the LEDs 138 of thesecond and third lighting brackets 118 b, 118 c. A fourth connector 142d interconnects the LEDs 138 of the third and fourth lighting brackets118 c, 118 d. A fifth connector 142 e interconnects the LEDs 138 of thefourth and fifth lighting brackets 118 d, 118 e. A sixth connector 142 finterconnects the LEDs 138 of the fifth and sixth lighting brackets 118e, 118 f. A seventh connector 142 g interconnects the LEDs 138 of thesixth and seventh lighting brackets 118 f, 118 g. An eighth connector142 h interconnects the LEDs 138 of eighth lighting brackets 118 h withthe LEDs on the first lighting bracket 118 a. In addition, a ninthconnector 142 i interconnects the LEDs 138 on the first lighting bracket118 a with the lighting controller 140 with the lighting controller 140.Control signals may be supplied from the lighting controller 140 to theLEDs 138 via the connectors 142 a-i for controlling operation (e.g.,activation, deactivation, intensity, and/or color) of the LEDs 138. Inat least some embodiments, each lighting bracket may include one or moreLED driver chips for controlling operation of the LEDs on a respectivebracket in response to the control signals. In some embodiments, pairsof LEDs may be connected in series to a respective driver chip. Incertain embodiments, each LED driver chip may control a determinednumber of RGB (red, green, blue) LEDs or pairs of LEDs. In certainspecific embodiments, each LED driver may control eight RGB (red, green,blue) LEDs or pairs of LEDs for 24 outputs in total, e.g., 8×3 RGBsignals.

The light guide plate 106 is formed of a single piece of material thatis transparent to visible light. In some embodiments, the light guideplate 106 is formed from clear acrylic, such as polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA). In other embodiments, the light guide plate may be formed from avariety of different materials including, for example, polycarbonate orcycloolefin polymer. The light guide plate 106 has a front surface 150,a rear surface 152, and a center opening 154 extending between the frontand rear surfaces and defining an inner sidewall 156.

As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2E, the light guide plate 106 is installed ontothe raised portion 134 of the rear panel 110 with its center opening 154overlying the center opening 114 in the rear panel 110. In someembodiments, the center opening 154 of the light guide plate 106 issized and shaped to form a close fit around the outer periphery of thelighting brackets 118 a-g (see, e.g., FIG. 2E). In this manner, thelighting brackets 118 a-118 g function to aid with installation of thelight guide plate 106 onto the rear panel 110 and to maintain theorientation of the light guide plate 106 relative to the LEDs 136.

Once installed, the inner sidewall 156 of the light guide plate 106 isaligned with and closely adjacent to the LEDs 138 (see, e.g., FIG. 2E).Light emitted from the LEDs 138 passes through the inner sidewall 156and into the light guide plate 106. A pattern formed in the light guideplate is positioned to be illuminated by the visible light emitted fromthe light source 108 and entering the sidewall 156 of the light guideplate 106 so that the illuminated pattern is visible through the frontsurface 150 of the light guide plate 106. In other embodiments, thepattern may be formed on a film, or part of the film that is positionedon or near the light guide plate 106, as detailed further below withrespect to FIG. 2H.

In some embodiments, the pattern may be formed in or on the rear surface152 of the light guide plate 106. In some embodiments, the pattern isformed by laser etching the pattern into the rear surface of the lightguide plate. In some embodiments, the pattern may be screen printed ontothe rear surface 152 of the light guide plate 106. A variety of othertechniques may be used to form the pattern, including, for example,machining, milling, chemical etching, etc. In other embodiments, thepattern may be formed on a film, or part of the film that is positionedon or near the light guide plate 106, discussed hereinafter. The patternredirects at least a portion of the visible light emitted from the lightsource and entering the sidewall of the light guide plate towards thefront surface of the light guide plate. In some embodiments, the patternreflects and/or refracts at least a portion the visible light emittedfrom the light source and entering the sidewall of the light guide platetowards the front surface of the light guide plate.

FIG. 2H illustrates an edge-lit configuration 178 of the light guideplate 106, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.Specifically, the edge-lit configuration 178 includes a film 180 havingthe pattern that may be adhered to, optically bonded with, or positionedon the rear surface 152 of the light guide plate 106. As discussedabove, visible light from LEDs 138 passes through the inner sidewall 156and into the light guide plate 106 with the film 180. The pattern formedon the film 180 are illuminated by the visible light entering thesidewall 156 of the light guide plate 106 so that the illuminated lightdistribution or pattern (as represented by arrows 188) is visiblethrough the front surface 150 of the light guide plate 106.

In some aspects, the film 180 may be a laminate film, an optical film,or an optical diffusion film. Film 180 may have a speckled pattern,which may improve patterned light and reduce the number of LEDs that maybe employed. In other embodiments, other patterns, such as, for example,a plain pattern, sparkle pattern, cube sparkle, brick cube pattern,snake pattern, star pattern, meteor pattern, galaxy pattern, snow flakepattern, and the like, may also be employed in addition to or instead ofthe speckled pattern.

In such cases, the film 180 includes a non-light-diffusing surface 182,and a light-diffusing surface 184. In some embodiments, thelight-diffusing surface 184 may include a plurality of prisms 186, andmay be referred to as a prism surface. The plurality of prisms 186 maytake a variety of shapes, uniform or disordered, to receive and redirectlight from the LEDs 138, and to achieve suitable brightness for thegaming application. Features of the plurality of prisms 186 may also bevaried, including the prism angles, orientation and height. Conversely,the non-light-diffusing surface 182 may be referred to as a non-prismsurface. To illuminate the light guide plate 106, the non-prism surfaceis optically bonded with the rear surface 152, and the prism surface orthe light-diffusing surface 184 facing away from the rear surface 152.In this way, the film 180 may redirect at least a portion of the visiblelight from LEDs 138 entering the inner sidewall 156 of the light guideplate 106 towards the front surface 150 of the light guide plate 106.

As shown in the edge-lit configuration 178 of FIG. 2H, the light guideplate 106 with the film 180 is illuminated through the inner sidewall156. Such an edge-lit configuration advantageously may cover a smallerfootprint for the light guide plate 106. In some cases, the edge-litconfiguration also reduces or minimizes the footprint of the light guideplate 106, when compared to back-lit configurations, where the film 180may be back-lit to create a visible pattern. Such back-litconfigurations generally require a minimum separation distance betweenthe light source 108 and the film 180, thus requiring a relativelylarger footprint.

An example of a pattern 160 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Inthis example, the pattern 160 includes a plurality of 3D cubes that arelocated in a patterned region 162 of the light guide plate 106. Whilethe pattern is illustrated as cubes, the pattern may take a variety offorms, including, for example, geometric shapes, letters, symbols,and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the light guide plate106 includes an inner non-patterned region 164 adjacent to the centeropening 154. As a result, light from the LEDs 138 passes through thenon-patterned region 164 without being deflected towards the frontsurface 150 before hitting the pattern 160 where it is deflected towardsthe front surface 150, illuminating the pattern. In embodiments wherethe film 180 has a pattern thereon, patterns, such as, for example, aspeckled pattern, plain pattern, sparkle pattern, cube sparkle, brickcube pattern, snake pattern, star pattern, meteor pattern, galaxypattern, snow flake pattern, and the like, may also be employed.

The LEDs 138 may be spaced at regular intervals to provide consistentillumination of the pattern 160. In some embodiments, the LEDs 138 maybe spaced at a 15 mm pitch, for example. The spacing may be varied indifferent embodiments to achieve the desired light intensity and toreduce spotting. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, for example, the internalcorners of the light guide plate 106 may be beveled at a determinedangle. For example, in some embodiments, the corners may be beveled atapproximately 45° relative to the inner sidewalls. Reciprocal bevels maybe provided on the corners of the lighting brackets. In someembodiments, the spacing between LEDs in the beveled corners may bereduced in comparison to the spacing along the linear sidewalls. Thecombination of beveled corners and reduced LED spacing in this regionmay function to better illuminate the outer corners of the light guideplate 106.

The light guide plate 106 may also include an outer non-patterned region166 along its outer edge. A chamfer may be formed in the back surface ofthe light guide plate in this outer non-patterned region 166. Thechamfer may function to redirect light towards the front surface tocreate a glow at the outer edge of the light guide plate.

The protective cover 104 is mounted on top of the light guide plate 106and is secured in place by fasteners that extend through openings in theprotective cover and thread into threaded openings formed in the rearpanel 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded openings areformed in second bosses 170 (see, e.g., FIG. 2G) that project from thefront face of the rear panel 110. The protective cover 104 includes acenter opening 172 that overlies the center openings in the light guideplate 106 and the rear panel 110. The rear panel 110 includes a mountingfeature to permit the lighting display assembly 100 to be mounted to agaming machine, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the mountingfeature includes a plurality of apertures 116 positioned along thecenter opening 114 in the rear panel 110 that allow the rear panel to besecured to the gaming machine using threaded fasteners, such as bolts.The center opening 172 in the protective cover 104 is sized so that theapertures 116 in the rear panel 110 can be accessed through the centeropening to facilitate installation the lighting display assembly 100onto a gaming machine. The protective cover 104 is made from a clear,relatively hard material, such as a polycarbonate, and functions toprevent damage to the light guide plate 106.

The side covers 112 are installed around the outer edges of the lightingdisplay assembly 100 to conceal the sides of the other components andprovide a finished appearance to the assembly. Mounting features (notshown) may be formed on the side covers and one or more other componentsof the assembly 100 to secure the side covers in place. Alternatively,in some embodiments, the side covers may be secured in place byadhesive, screws or other connection elements. In some embodiments, theside covers are formed from extruded aluminum. Other suitable materialsfor the side covers may include plastics and sheet steel, for example.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate the lighting display assembly 100 of FIG. 1Ainstalled onto a gaming machine 200. The gaming machine 200 may, forexample, be a video slot machine of the type commonly used in the gamingindustry. The gaming machine 200 includes a cabinet 202 that supports adisplay monitor 204.

The lighting display assembly 100 is designed to be positioned on thegaming machine behind the display monitor 204. As can be seen, thelighting display assembly 100 is sized and positioned to extend beyondthe outer edge (periphery) 206 of the display monitor or such that theilluminated pattern 160 is visible from in front of the display monitor.In some embodiments, only the patterned region 162 of the light guideplate 106 extends outwardly beyond the periphery 206 of the displaymonitor 204. The lighting display assembly 100 provides a frame orcorona of light that extends around the display monitor 204. The LEDscan be controlled by the lighting controller to controllably illuminatethe pattern in the light guide plate 106 to attract players to thegaming machine. In at least some embodiments, the center opening of thelight guide plate is positioned inward of the outer peripheral edge ofthe display monitor such that it is not visible from in front of thedisplay monitor. Similarly, in at least some embodiments, the innernon-patterned region 164 of the light guide plate 106 is positionedbehind the monitor so that it is not visible from in front of thedisplay monitor. In embodiments where the film 180 has a patternthereon, the LEDs 138 can be employed to edge-light or illuminate thepattern of the film 180 that may redirect at least a portion of thevisible light from LEDs 138 entering the inner sidewall 156 of the lightguide plate 106 towards the front surface 150 of the light guide plate106.

The center opening 102 of the lighting display assembly 100 isbeneficial because it allows access to the interior of the gamingmachine cabinet 202, e.g., for servicing the gaming machine 200. In someembodiments, a mounting mechanism securing the display monitor to thegaming machine may also extend through the center opening of thelighting display assembly. For example, as shown in FIG. 5D, the displaymonitor 204 may be connected to the gaming machine cabinet by a lift armassembly 210 that allows the display monitor to be moved between alowered position during normal operation (see, e.g., FIG. 5A) and araised position (see, e.g., FIG. 5D) for servicing.

A skilled person would appreciate that embodiments that provide forpattern formation in the light guide plate can be analogously employedby positioning of a patterned film on the light guide plate. Theforegoing description of a light guide plate with pattern formed thereinis therefore, with minor modifications, also applicable to a light guideplate having a patterned film positioned thereon.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein,such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art formsa part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.,to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming machine, comprising: a cabinet; a display coupled to the cabinet, the display comprising a display central portion and a display peripheral edge encompassing the display central portion; a plate behind the display, the plate comprising a plate front side, a plate rear side, a plate inner sidewall toward the display central portion, and a plate outer sidewall away from the display central portion; a light source that, when activated, emits light through the plate inner sidewall, wherein the emitted light illuminates a pattern in the plate, wherein the pattern redirects at least a portion of the emitted light towards the plate front side; and a controller coupled the light source and configured to selectively activate the light source.
 2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein: the plate front side extends beyond the display peripheral edge; and the pattern redirects at least some of the emitted light toward a portion of the plate front side that extends beyond the display peripheral edge.
 3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein: the light source comprises a plurality of lighting brackets; and each lighting bracket positions one or more light emitting devices of the respective lighting bracket along the plate inner sidewall.
 4. The gaming machine of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lighting brackets are coupled to the controller in a linear series.
 5. The gaming machine of claim 4, wherein the plurality of lighting brackets comprises: a first lighting bracket coupled to the controller via a first connector; and a second light bracket coupled to the controller via the first lighting bracket and a second connector that couples the second lighting bracket to the first lighting bracket.
 6. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising: a panel behind the display; wherein the plate and the light source are coupled to the panel.
 7. The gaming machine of claim 6, wherein: the panel comprises a panel rear face that faces the cabinet and a panel front face that faces away from the cabinet; the panel front face comprises a recessed portion and a raised portion; the plate is coupled to the raised portion of the panel front face; and the light source is coupled to the recessed portion of the panel front face.
 8. The gaming machine of claim 7, wherein: the recessed portion comprise bosses that project from the panel front face; the light source comprises a lighting bracket and one or more light emitting devices coupled to a surface of the lighting bracket; the lighting bracket is coupled to the recessed portion via one or more of the bosses; and the one or more bosses position the lighting bracket such that the one or more light emitting devices align with the plate inner sidewall on the raised portion of the panel front face.
 9. The gaming machine of claim 8, wherein: the lighting bracket is coupled to the panel front face with a bracket rear face facing the panel front face; the one or more light emitting devices are coupled to the bracket rear face; and the one or more bosses position the bracket rear face higher than the raised portion of the panel front face.
 10. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising: a lift arm assembly that couples the display to the cabinet; wherein the lift arm assembly permits moving the display between a lowered operating position and a raised servicing position.
 11. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein an interior of the cabinet is exposed when the display is moved to the raised servicing position.
 12. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising a side cover that covers and conceals the plate outer sidewall.
 13. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising a clear protective cover mounted over the plate front side.
 14. A gaming machine comprising: a cabinet; a display comprising a display central portion and a display peripheral edge encompassing the display central portion; a light guide between the display and the cabinet, the light guide comprising a light guide front side, a light guide rear side, a light guide inner sidewall toward the display central portion, and a light guide outer sidewall away from the display central portion; a light source configured to emit light through the light guide inner sidewall, wherein the emitted light illuminates a pattern in the light guide; and a controller coupled the light source and configured to control illumination of the pattern by the light source.
 15. The gaming machine of claim 14, wherein: the light guide front side extends beyond the display peripheral edge; and the illuminated pattern is visible through a portion of the light guide front side that extends beyond the display peripheral edge.
 16. The gaming machine of claim 14, wherein: the light source comprises a plurality of lighting brackets; and each lighting bracket positions one or more light emitting devices of the respective lighting bracket along the light guide inner sidewall.
 17. The gaming machine of claim 14, wherein: the light source comprises a first lighting bracket and a second lighting bracket; the first lighting bracket is coupled to the controller via a first connector; the second light bracket is coupled to the controller via the first lighting bracket and a second connector that couples the second lighting bracket to the first lighting bracket; and the first lighting bracket and the second lighting bracket each position one or more light emitting devices along the light guide inner sidewall.
 18. The gaming machine of claim 14, further comprising: a panel between the light guide and the cabinet; wherein the panel comprises a panel rear face that faces the cabinet and a panel front face that faces away from the cabinet; wherein the panel front face comprises a recessed portion and a raised portion; wherein the light guide is coupled to the raised portion of the panel front face; and wherein and light source is coupled to the recessed portion of the panel front face.
 19. The gaming machine of claim 18, wherein: the recessed portion comprise bosses that project from the panel front face; the light source comprises a lighting bracket with one or more light emitting devices coupled to a rear side of the lighting bracket; the rear side of the lighting bracket is coupled to one or more of the bosses; and the one or more bosses position the rear side of the lighting bracket higher than the raised portion of the panel front face and align the one or more light emitting devices with the light guide inner sidewall.
 20. The gaming machine of claim 14, further comprising: a side cover that covers and conceals the light guide outer sidewall; and a clear protective cover mounted over the light guide front side. 